Years ago I was blessed to study Lakota methodology and ceremonial practices.  One day our teacher informed his students that sage was sacred and not to be burnt for smudging.  Sage was used as a tisane, or to wrap/lay sacred items upon.

I use cedar, copal, frankincense or sweetgrass for purification rites.  Burning sweetgrass and keeping it lit is an incredible skill, one that I do not have except for rare occasions.

In 2002, my father passed away due to complications of lung cancer surgery.   Upon his passing I went to see my mentor who offered to say prayers for the progression of my father’s Soul.  I brought my daughter with me, as we were both grieving for the loss of my Dad.  My mentor instructed me to keep the sweetgrass lit and smoking, as it would assist in prayers to The Old Ones as he prayed for my Dad.  My only task, my job if you will, was to keep the sweetgrass burning.  That’s it.  Simple, right?

The sweetgrass kept going out despite my best efforts.  It would not hold a light.  I remember looking up, to see my daughter’s eyes give me a sideways glance as if to say, “You had ONE job….ONE job!”

Sweetgrass is my bane, it is my constant challenge.  Not keeping the sweetgrass lit made me feel like a failure.  I was worried that my Dad may not get to his spiritual plateau because I could not do this one simple task – keep the fire burning.  After the prayers my teacher assured me that everything would be ok, despite my ineptness of not keeping dry grass burning.

I’m told that sweetgrass must be given to you and that you’re not supposed to buy it for yourself.  Heck, if I waiting until someone gave me sweetgrass I wouldn’t have any at all.

A few years ago I discovered by chance this incredible site that will send you sweetgrass plants.  I purchased the Supershamanistic plants from Ecoseeds, waited two years so it would develop an excellent root system, and now make my own sweetgrass braids.  After all, I can depend upon the kindness of strangers to GIVE me a braid here and there, but I’m a realist.  “Learn to fish”, as they say.

My land is full of clay and sand.  I don’t fertilize the plants, but have designated a patch on the front lawn where it grows in a lovely circle.  My grandson and I cut quite a bit the other evening and he held onto one end of the bundled sharp leaves while I tied and braided them.

Things to consider:

Wear gloves ~ these leaves are sharp as razors.

Don’t make the groupings overly large, or they will be difficult to braid.

Cut  leaves about 1” from the ground, so not to hurt the root system.

Place the leaves in a basket or container so they face all the same way, i.e., cut ends together, leaf tips together.

Share this time with a young person if you can;  continue to teach the First American practices about healing Mother Earth and smudging for energy purification.

When braiding pull with a firm pressure, but not so firmly that you break the sweetgrass.

Use your thumb to flatten the braid as you work.

Knot the top and bottom with four knots for the four directions.

Hang in a space that allows air circulation.

Allow to become fully dry before burning.

To burn:

First offer a prayer of intent to your higher belief system.  What are you looking to purify?  Your home?  Your energy?  Your negative thoughts?  Sickness?

Hold the dried braid away from you! Untie the bottom (skinniest) part of the braid and unfurl a small amount of leaves.  Light with a match, or lighter.  The grass will catch and burn with a flame, be careful!

Use an abalone shell or fireproof bowl to catch any falling ashes.  Tap the braid so the smoke billows, and use the smoke to smudge (purify) your energy, a room, any area that needs cleansing.

To douse the hot embers tap the lit ends of the sweetgrass on a damp sponge or damp piece of cloth.  DO NOT pour water on the sweetgrass.

Tags: cedar, copal, First Americans, frankincense, hierochloe odorata, how to use sweetgrass, Lakota methodology, sacred practices, sage, smudging, sweetgrass, sweetgrass braid